A forward-thinking festival created an inclusive, car-free space in Belfast city to bring communities together.
The Open Botanic community street festival took place on 15 September 2024, was organised by Forward South Partnership and supported by Radius Housing, Apex and Ark Housing through ‘Housing for All’.
This grassroots community-led festival united the many communities, individuals, businesses, charities and organisations that make Botanic Avenue one of the most dynamic parts of Belfast city.
This year’s themes, Playful Streets and Creating Space, showcased the incredible work going on behind the scenes to improve places to play, to move, to breathe and to grow, in this area.
Briege Arthurs, Chief Executive of Forward South Partnership, said: “Belfast is changing and we want to make sure that no one gets left behind. This is a festival for people who live, work and play in the area, both for those who have been here for generations and those that now call South Belfast home.”
This is the third year of this community-led festival. Forward South and Queen’s University Belfast worked with local community groups including Donegall Pass Parents, Botanic Meadows, Sandy Row Parents, Holy Rosary P5, Donegall Pass Garden and Anaka Women’s Collective to design the festival, including the creation of ‘community kiosks’ showcasing what the areas around Botanic have to offer.
Agustina Martire, who teaches architecture at Queen’s, said: “The work of our team of students with the community groups shows that what everyone wants is a street where people of all ages can enjoy space, food, chats and fun. We imagine a future where Botanic Avenue can be that place for everyone every day.”
The Open Botanic Event was supported by the Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s ‘Housing for All’ Shared Housing Programme. The Programme has its origins in the NI Executive Together: Building a United Community Strategy which reflects the Executive’s commitment to improving community relations and continuing the journey towards a more united and shared society. Over £13.6 million has been invested in three shared housing developments and associated five-year Good Relations Plans in Belfast.
Find out more here: www.forwardsouth.org